Pfizer Boosts Profit Forecast Despite Third-Quarter Sales Decline
Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, has revised its profit forecast for 2025 despite experiencing a decline in third-quarter sales and earnings compared to the previous year. The company reported earnings of 87 cents per share for the September quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of 63 cents by 38%, according to Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger.
Third-Quarter Performance Overview
Despite the earnings beat, Pfizer only marginally increased its full-year earnings outlook. The new guidance is projected at $3 to $3.15 a share, which represents a 3% adjustment. Risinger noted that this increase might be conservative given the strong EPS performance.
Market Reaction
Following the announcements, Pfizer’s stock declined by nearly 1%, trading at $24.48 in premarket sessions. The shares had previously broken out from a flat base with a buy point of $26.11 earlier in October. This positive momentum was coupled with Pfizer’s new partnership with the TrumpRx direct-to-consumer drug pricing website. However, stock value dropped by 7% from its entry point by mid-October, activating sell protocols for cautious investors.
Sales and Revenue Details
- Total Sales: $16.65 billion
- Analysts’ Expectations: $16.51 billion
- Year-Over-Year Decline: 6%
- Earnings Decline: 18%
- Biosimilars Revenue: $16.31 billion, a 6% decrease
Despite the overall decline, performance varied across divisions. Pfizer’s contract development and manufacturing service, Pfizer CentreOne, generated $344 million in revenue, marking a 21% increase. Conversely, Pfizer Ignite, a research and development division, reported no revenue, a decrease from $25 million in the same period last year.
Segment Highlights
In the biopharmaceutical sector, oncology sales exceeded forecasts. However, revenue from the COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid, fell short of expectations. Overall, Pfizer has maintained a sales guidance for the year, projecting revenue between $61 billion and $63 billion.
Conclusion
Analyst David Risinger holds a market perform rating on Pfizer stock, emphasizing the company’s mixed results amid a challenging market landscape. Investors monitor these developments closely as Pfizer navigates its future prospects.
